South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner asks for cash to police EDL marches

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has applied to the Home Office for £2.6 million to help meet the costs incurred by the county’s police force at EDL marches.

Dr Alan Billings applied in January but has not yet had a response.

Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, Alan Billings.

South Yorkshire Police has had to draft in extra officers for a number of EDL marches organised in response the sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham by men of largely Pakistani origin.

Dr Billings said: “The cost of policing EDL demonstrations in South Yorkshire is becoming a concern.

“Most of those who come are not from South Yorkshire but insist on visiting us and causing disruption.

“All of this has to be policed to ensure people are kept safe and the demonstrations cause as little disruption as possible.

“The Home Secretary can cover this with a special grant if she wishes, but it is discretionary.

“I have asked the Home Secretary for a special grant and have yet to hear from her. Of course if she is unable to help, the consequence will be to find further cost savings in South Yorkshire Police’s budget which is already stretched.

“We are unable to stop these demonstrations due to legislation, but what we can do is give as little publicity as possible to their cause.”